Transboundary Cooperation on Freshwater in Africa

2017-08-24

Description:Water and Sanitation Brief / Availability of, and access to, water resources have
a strong bearing on populations and ecosystems as
well as on livelihoods, economic growth and overall
development in Africa. Although Sub-­Saharan
Africa on average is well-­endowed with water
resources, these are unevenly distributed,
highlighting the need for good water governance.
To promote poverty alleviation and inclusive
growth, it is important that water resource
development takes place in the context of
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
in the supervision and distribution of freshwater
resources. However, water is already scarce in
some parts of the continent – the annual water
availability is 4008 m3 per capita, which is below the
global annual of 6498 m3 -­ making it difficult to meet
the human rights to food, water and sanitation,
maintain ecosystem services, and even challenging
peace in the region.Availability of, and access to, water resources have
a strong bearing on populations and ecosystems as
well as on livelihoods, economic growth and overall
development in Africa. Although Sub-­Saharan
Africa on average is well-­endowed with water
resources, these are unevenly distributed,
highlighting the need for good water governance.
To promote poverty alleviation and inclusive
growth, it is important that water resource
development takes place in the context of
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)
in the supervision and distribution of freshwater
resources. However, water is already scarce in
some parts of the continent – the annual water
availability is 4008 m3 per capita, which is below the
global annual of 6498 m3 -­ making it difficult to meet
the human rights to food, water and sanitation,
maintain ecosystem services, and even challenging
peace in the region.

Sida's mission

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida, is a government agency working on behalf of the Swedish parliament and government, with the mission to reduce poverty in the world. Through our work and in cooperation with others, we contribute to implementing Sweden’s Policy for Global Development.